An ultrabook is a thin, light, premium laptop built for portability and all-day battery life, making it ideal for commuters, travelers, and anyone who carries their laptop everywhere. The best ultrabook for you depends on whether you want Windows or macOS, the screen size you prefer, and how much you value battery life against performance.
Below we rank six of the best ultrabooks, led by the efficient Apple MacBook Air. For other needs, see our business laptop guide, 2-in-1 laptop picks, and budget laptop roundup.
Top 3 Best Ultrabooks at a Glance
- 13-inch display
- Apple silicon
- Fanless, ultralight
- Dual 14-inch OLED
- Windows 11
- Dual-screen design
Best Ultrabooks in 2027
| Product | Key specs | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Air 13-inch Best Overall | 13-inch display, Apple silicon, Fanless, ultralight | 4.7★ | $1,149.00 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Samsung Galaxy Book4 Best Value | Thin-and-light, Windows 11, Efficient hardware | 4.4★ | $785.00 | Check Price on Amazon |
| ASUS Zenbook Duo (Dual OLED) Best Premium | Dual 14-inch OLED, Windows 11, Dual-screen design | 4.4★ | $1,949.99 | Check Price on Amazon |
| LG Gram 15.6″ Best Lightweight | 15.6-inch display, Ultralight chassis, Long battery life | 4.2★ | $699.00 | Check Price on Amazon |
| HP Ultrabook 14 Best Budget | 14-inch display, Thin-and-light, Windows 11 | 4.2★ | $449.00 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Best Convertible | 16-inch touchscreen, 360-degree hinge, Premium build | 4.4★ | $1,699.99 | Check Price on Amazon |
1. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch – Best Overall
- ✓ Outstanding battery life and efficiency
- ✓ Silent, fanless ultralight design
- ✓ Excellent 4.7-star rating
- ✗ Fewer ports than some rivals
- ✗ macOS rather than Windows
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is the best ultrabook overall, pairing Apple silicon’s efficiency with a silent, fanless, ultralight design and exceptional battery life for around $1,149. With the most reviews and highest rating here, it is the benchmark thin-and-light for everyday work and travel.
It has fewer ports than some rivals and runs macOS rather than Windows, but for the best mix of efficiency, battery life, and build quality in an ultrabook, it is our top pick.
Best for: Most users wanting the best efficiency and battery life
May not fit: Those who need Windows or lots of ports
2. Samsung Galaxy Book4 – Best Value
- ✓ Light, portable Windows ultrabook
- ✓ Efficient hardware for all-day use
- ✓ Well reviewed with 160+ ratings
- ✗ Mid-range display
- ✗ Integrated graphics
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 is the best value ultrabook, offering a thin, light Windows design with efficient hardware for all-day productivity for around $785. It is a well-rounded, portable laptop for work, browsing, and travel at a sensible price.
Its display is mid-range and it uses integrated graphics, but for a light, efficient Windows ultrabook that lasts all day, it is the value standout.
Best for: Windows users wanting a light, affordable ultrabook
May not fit: Those wanting a premium display or discrete graphics
3. ASUS Zenbook Duo (Dual OLED) – Best Premium
- ✓ Innovative dual OLED screens
- ✓ Stunning, color-rich displays
- ✓ Great for multitasking and creation
- ✗ Premium price
- ✗ Heavier than single-screen ultrabooks
The ASUS Zenbook Duo with dual 14-inch OLED screens is the best premium ultrabook, bringing an innovative dual-display design and stunning, color-rich panels to a portable body for around $1,950. It is a standout for multitaskers and creators who want two screens on the move.
It commands a premium price and is heavier than single-screen ultrabooks, but for a cutting-edge dual-OLED portable, it is the premium showcase pick.
Best for: Multitaskers and creators wanting dual screens
May not fit: Those wanting the lightest or cheapest ultrabook
4. LG Gram 15.6″ – Best Lightweight
- ✓ Remarkably light for a 15.6-inch laptop
- ✓ Large screen with long battery life
- ✓ Comfortable for all-day work
- ✗ Plasticky feel to some
- ✗ Integrated graphics
The LG Gram 15.6″ is the best lightweight ultrabook with a large screen, fitting a 15.6-inch display into a remarkably light chassis with long battery life for around $699. It is ideal for people who want a big screen without the weight of a typical large laptop.
Its chassis feels plasticky to some and it uses integrated graphics, but for a large-screen laptop that stays ultralight and lasts all day, it is an excellent choice.
Best for: Users wanting a big screen in an ultralight body
May not fit: Those wanting a premium metal feel or discrete graphics
5. HP Ultrabook 14 – Best Budget
- ✓ Lowest price in this roundup
- ✓ Compact, portable 14-inch design
- ✓ Dependable for everyday tasks
- ✗ Entry-level performance
- ✗ Basic display
The HP Ultrabook 14 is the best budget ultrabook, offering a thin, light 14-inch Windows design for everyday productivity and travel for around $449, the lowest price here. It is an affordable way to get a portable, tidy laptop for browsing, documents, and video calls.
Its performance is entry-level and the display is basic, but for the most affordable thin-and-light ultrabook, it is a smart budget pick.
Best for: Budget buyers wanting a portable everyday laptop
May not fit: Those needing strong performance or a premium screen
6. Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 – Best Convertible
- ✓ Large 16-inch touchscreen
- ✓ Flexible 360-degree convertible hinge
- ✓ Premium, thin design
- ✗ Premium price
- ✗ Larger than compact ultrabooks
The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is the best convertible ultrabook, pairing a large 16-inch touchscreen with a flexible 360-degree hinge in a premium, thin body for around $1,700. It combines ultrabook portability with 2-in-1 versatility for work, media, and note-taking.
It commands a premium price and is larger than compact ultrabooks, but for a thin, premium convertible with a big touchscreen, it is a standout choice.
Best for: Users wanting a premium convertible ultrabook
May not fit: Those wanting the smallest or cheapest ultrabook
How to Choose an Ultrabook
Weight and portability
The whole point of an ultrabook is portability, so weight matters most. The LG Gram is remarkably light for a 15.6-inch laptop, while 13-14 inch models like the MacBook Air and HP Ultrabook 14 are the easiest to carry. If you travel daily, prioritise the lightest model that still has the screen size you need.
Battery life and efficiency
Ultrabooks are built for all-day use away from an outlet, and efficient hardware is key. Apple silicon in the MacBook Air leads on battery life, while modern Windows chips in the Galaxy Book and LG Gram also last a full day. Favour efficiency if you work on the move without easy charging.
Windows vs macOS
The MacBook Air runs macOS with excellent efficiency and battery life, while the Samsung, ASUS, LG, and HP models run Windows for broad app compatibility. Choose macOS for its efficiency and ecosystem, or Windows if you need specific apps or prefer its flexibility.
Display quality and size
A great display makes an ultrabook a pleasure to use. OLED panels like the ASUS Zenbook Duo’s are vivid and color-rich, ideal for media and creation, while larger screens like the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360’s 16-inch panel give more room at the cost of some portability. Match the display to your work and eyes.
Ports and extras
Thin ultrabooks often trim ports, so check for the USB-C, USB-A, and display outputs you need, and whether a touchscreen or convertible hinge, as on the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, adds value for you. A good webcam and keyboard round out what makes an ultrabook comfortable for daily work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ultrabook in 2027?
Our overall pick is the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch, which leads on efficiency, battery life, and build quality for around $1,149. For Windows users, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 is the best value, and the dual-OLED ASUS Zenbook Duo is the premium showcase.
What is an ultrabook?
An ultrabook is a thin, light, premium laptop designed for portability and long battery life, typically with efficient hardware, a quality display, and a slim metal chassis. Ultrabooks prioritise being easy to carry and lasting all day over raw gaming or creative power.
Are ultrabooks good for work?
Yes — ultrabooks are excellent for office work, writing, browsing, and video calls, thanks to their portability, battery life, and comfortable keyboards. For heavy creative or technical work needing discrete graphics, a creator or gaming laptop is a better fit, but most professionals are well served by an ultrabook.
Do ultrabooks have good battery life?
Generally yes — ultrabooks are built for all-day use, and efficient chips like Apple silicon in the MacBook Air or modern Windows processors in the Galaxy Book and LG Gram can last a full workday on a charge. Battery life is one of the main reasons to choose an ultrabook.
How much should I spend on an ultrabook?
Budget ultrabooks start around $449 with the HP Ultrabook 14, the sweet spot for a capable thin-and-light is roughly $699-1,149 for the LG Gram, Galaxy Book4, and MacBook Air, and premium models run $1,700 and up. Spend based on the display, OS, and build quality you want.
Final Verdict
For an ultrabook in 2027, the Apple MacBook Air is the best all-round pick thanks to its efficiency and battery life, while the Samsung Galaxy Book4 is the best Windows value and the ASUS Zenbook Duo is the premium showcase. For a big screen that stays light, the LG Gram stands out. See our business laptop and 2-in-1 laptop guides for more.
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